Jonathan Edwards on the Pilgrim Mindset

In celebration of Jonathan Edwards' 300th birthday this month,
let him teach us more about Bethlehem's vision called Treasuring Christ Together,
and about the pilgrim mindset it calls for. In September of 1733,
he preached a sermon called "The Christian Pilgrim, Or, The True
Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven." It was based on Hebrews
11:13-14:

These all died in faith, not having received the things
promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and
having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the
earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are
seeking a homeland.

Let his vision shape yours.

Pilgrims are not diverted from their aim.

A traveler . . . is not enticed by fine appearances to put off
the thought of proceeding. No, but his journey's end is in his
mind. If he meets with comfortable accommodations at an inn, he
entertains no thoughts of settling there. He considers that these
things are not his own, that he is but a stranger, and when he has
refreshed himself, or tarried for a night, he is for going forward.
(Works, Banner of Truth, p. 243)

Pilgrims are to hold the things of this world loosely.

So should we desire heaven more than the comforts and enjoyments
of this life. . . . Our hearts ought to be loose to these things,
as that of a man on a journey, that we may as cheerfully part with
them whenever God calls. (243)

Pilgrims become like what they hope to attain.

We should be endeavoring to come nearer to
heaven, in being more heavenly, becoming more and more like the
inhabitants of heaven in respect of holiness and conformity
to God, the knowledge of God and Christ, in clear views of the
glory of God, the beauty of Christ, and the excellency of divine
things, as we come nearer to the beatific vision. - We should labor
to be continually growing in divine love - that this may be an
increasing flame in our hearts, till they ascend wholly in this
flame. (244)

Pilgrims will not be satisfied with anything less than
God.

God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the
enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be
satisfied. - To go to heaven fully to enjoy God, is
infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations
here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the
company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of
God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the
sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but
drops, but God is the ocean. . . . Why should we labor for, or set
our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end, and
true happiness? (244)

Pilgrims are not grieved by their arrival at the journey's
end.

To spend our lives so as to be only a journeying towards heaven,
is the way to be free from bondage and to have the prospect and
forethought of death comfortable. Does the traveler think of his
journey's end with fear and terror? Is it terrible to him to think
that he has almost got to his journey's end? Were the children of
Israel sorry after forty years' travel in the wilderness, when they
had almost got to Canaan? (246)

Pilgrims ponder what they pursue.

Labor to be much acquainted with heaven. - If you are not
acquainted with it, you will not be likely to spend your life as a
journey thither. You will not be sensible of its worth, nor will
you long for it. Unless you are much conversant in your mind with a
better good, it will be exceeding difficult to you to have your
hearts loose from these things, to use them only in subordination
to something else, and be ready to part with them for the sake of
that better good. - Labor therefore to obtain a realizing sense of
a heavenly world, to get a firm belief of its reality, and to be
very much conversant with it in your thoughts. (246)

Pilgrims travel together (in small groups).

Let Christians help one another in going this journey. . . .
Company is very desirable in a journey, but in none so much as
this. - Let them go united and not fall out by the way, which would
be to hinder one another, but use all means they can to help each
other up the hill. - This would ensure a more successful traveling
and a more joyful meeting at their Father's house in glory.
(246)

John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books.

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